SB Nation User Blog: RayAlmeda

Why the Amare Trade Is Back on the Table

RayAlmeda — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:10:33 -0000

I have my sources and won't name them obviously, but let's just say that the Warriors' circle of trust is widened already internally. I've heard a summing up of internal talk within the Warriors organization has been talking about this trade pointing to a bigger bottom-line for the Warriors.

Let me explain.

Andris Biedrins - a fantastic NBA rebounder who's still extremely young, yet still versatile.

Marco Belinelli - a NBA sharpshooter that has the ability to take over games with flash, but we've yet to see it on a consistent basis.

Brendan Wright - the "guy" we traded Richardson for due to a failed Wolves/Garnett trade.

The NBA all knows that we're dandling these guys. Talk has it that we're getting more trade offers than meets the eye. Just not any of em are getting close to reality, but players like Josh Smith, Carlos Boozer and Shawn Marion have all been discussed.

Why is this so important for the Warriors?

Teams now see who's on the Warriors trading block. And the sudden anxiousness of a team looking for the playoffs have gotten the Suns scared that they might not possess enough time to made an Amare deal (one that MUST be done due to obvious reasons) BEFORE the Warriors actually pull the trigger on something else.

It's evident why the media keeps talking about Steve Kerr denying certain claims of a trade at all. The Amare Stoudemire trade to the Suns was always on the table and neither team has yet to back out of the trade. This was recently revealed by Kerr on Tuesday morning on Arizona radio.

Let's see how long the Warriors will be holding their cards, because the Suns' trade offer suddenly isn't the only trade they're working around the clock to get done.

My personal opinion? Two unproven stars and a young solid-center for a top-flight, all-star forward?

I want to win now. Get Amare LONG-TERM deal cheap, add a draft pick for next year and make the deal with Phoenix. Nelson could be the ultimate call. But we all know he's patient. Very patient.

Report: Amare trade stalled; S. Curry NOT in deal; NBA Exec: "Likely Won't Happen"

RayAlmeda — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:36:28 -0000

It looks like the trade that most Warrior fans want to happen, involving the Suns' Amare Stoudemire, has hit a stumbling block.

CBS Sportsline's Ken Berger reports (paraphrased)

1.) Stephen Curry is NOT a part of the deal as the trade was being constructed Thursday night.

2.) One league executive with knowledge of the trade situation said that "LIKELY WON'T HAPPEN"

Of course, we have till July 1st that Biedrins/etc/etc could get traded because of Biedrins' base-year compensation status, but if the Warriors can't pull this off and the duo-guard tandem doesn't work for the Warriors in the long run. Then can we discuss the Warriors inept decision-making to bring big game-changers like Stoudemire and Garnett as being the biggest brick-walls towards getting to the next level... a championship?

Taking a cue from Larry the Cable guy... c'mon Warriors... GIT R Done!

Source: Ken Berger CBS Blog

BREAKING: Shaq to CAVS for B. Wallace/S. Pavlovic

RayAlmeda — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:28:27 -0000

It's official according to ESPN:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4285489

Shaq is going to CLEVELAND to partake in the craziness of Lebron/Shaq VS. Kobe/Gasol.

Did the dream FINALS matchup for next year get even MORE interesting? My thoughts on this are obvious since I'm such the Laker hater, but what do you all of you think about the prospect of Lebron James STAYING in Cleveland if this brings the Cavs a championship?

Recap of the 2009 Warriors Fan Forum

RayAlmeda — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:56:03 -0000

Don't want to go into too much detail, but he's some of the notes I took down right after the 1st ever Warriors Fan Forum from 1:30pm-2:30pm today (for Season Ticket Holders only):

- Riley: We want to 'keep our style of basketball' no matter what - regardless of what happens with Nelson in the future, coaches, or our players.

- Riley <on big man need>: "We certainly need one, but one with BEEF (Doesn't have to be 7 foot 2). Big man who can hold his ground down there."

- Rowell <on high-priced concessions>: "We're doing a lot. Food will be better this upcoming year, we're changing the menu a bit. But we cannot make changes, as these prices are paced on contracts and capital that are tied to Levy Restaurants (restuarant company). We gotta charge more to operate the workers, improve our roster, and overall keep all facilities in Oracle Arena high."

- Riley <on Stephen Jackson's extension>: "We always agreed that he should be part of the team. Players, coaches, everybody recognize what he did for us, the way he played, and what he did in the 2007 playoffs."

- Riley <on player to close games>: "We have two guys that we are focused on doing this next season: Monta Ellis and hopefully Anthony Randolph."

- Riley <on point guard situation>: "The right kind of point guard we need is someone who passes, someone who can move the ball. Tony Parker is better than Monta at the Pick and Roll, but we need to take advantage of player's strengths, and maybe with the 7th pick we address that."

- Note: One guy was hung up on after he said "Don Nelson ruined our team, and he's back to ruin it again. He's lost as many games as he's won, and has never really won anything before."

- Riley <on Don Nelson>: "We like him because he's quirky, unconventional - he's hard ot manage - but he wants to win and that's what I like about him."

- Riley <on direction of team>: "We need to develop our young player. We only need ONE more player or so to get back to that playoff caliber level. Whether it comes via trade or free agency we'll see. But we want to keep our players for 3-4 years, watch them mature. We like what we have."

- Riley <on Morrow and Randolph>: "We plan to keep them. They played 1000 minutes total each last season as rookies and it's good to know that they already have their feet wet."

- Riley <on Monta Ellis>: "I talked with Monta yesterday and one thing I wanted to discuss with him was his current state. Not physically but mentally. We want to make sure that he's ready for the next season and he's committed towards remaining focused."

- Riley <on Anthony Randolph>: "I think Anthony could be pick #1 or pick #2 in this year's draft quite honestly, if he came out this year."

- Rowell <on finishing the season>: "10-12 as a 2nd half record is not acceptable. We need to make sure that we're locked-in to win basketball games next year, and get to about .500 with road games to stay in contention."

- Note: About 1000 people on call (according to moderator Bob Fitzgerald. There was also a poll at the end (needing pressing of phone pressing) to vote whether the call helped the caller decide upon season tickets (Yes, No, Maybe, Already Renewed).

For more on this (more detailed)... check GSoM's official report:

http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/5/21/882722/warriors-conference-call-with

missed it by two minutes. :-)

Last Home Game of the Season Tonight Vs. Spurs - Who's going?

RayAlmeda — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:59:06 -0000

Tonight marks the end of yet another disappointing season. Maybe not as disappointing as last year's since we were essentially a 50-win team not making the playoffs, but disappointing to the fact that we never got the fair chance to see how good we could be with this roster. With Monta injured, B. Wright, Jackson in spurts, Crawford being shown the door too many times, seeing Al Harrington succeed in a non-Warriors jersey, Baron shaky as they come, rumors of trades etc... this season has definitely been a roller-coaster ride for all of us. Just the fact that we're still so loyal and constantly following a 30-win team should be mind-boggling for any other NBA-team fan.

We're still hungry for the playoffs, the winning attitude and stopping another unfortunate playoff streak from racking up again.

So who's coming to the game Vs. the Spurs tonight? Should be a crazy one to go to (considering the traffic and parking situtation especially with the A's game going on at the same time), but it should be nice to see all of our bench players really PLAY for their ROSTER SPOT... NEXT SEASON.

Predictions? I see Morrow, CJ and Randolph all having great games, with Turiaf putting in a solid one. Who knows - we might even see an unexpected appearance from B-Dub or Marco tonight (Or :gulp: JD). Fact of the matter is, tonight will truly be Fan Appreciation Night. An ending in Oracle Arena for this season and a salute to those who still root hard for a team that could be labeled as the best "bad" team in the NBA. I think in the dictionary, that defines us as mediocre.

Regardless (and oddly enough), I'd like to say THANK YOU to all of the GSoM bloggers, loyalists and readers that have come to stop by my seats in support of other GSoM community members during the season. From the "Ref U Suck" and "Rocky" chants originating from my section, I will be raising a cup of beer for all of you tonight as well. This has certainly been a tough season (Sorry TJ, I took you to the Thunder AND Cavs buzzer beater games back to back), but there were some great high moments (BritGSW, don't forget about our Kings-fan COUNTER that one night).

For those going to the game, please stop by Section 208, Row DS Seats 15-16 to hang around (Look for the ALMEDA jersey). If there's seats around me as well, you should be able to sit down with us in the area. I technically own that area. :-)

I hope to see everyone tonight and next season... both with endings that will please Warrior fans and inspire other ones that deserves to be on this hypothetical train of promising basketball potential.

Who's going to the Season Ticket Holder BBQ before the game?

RayAlmeda — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:37:29 -0000

For those who don't know, the Warriors are holding an exclusive season-ticket holder BBQ before the game against the New Orleans Hornets. It will be 4-7pm in the Oracle Arena "D" parking lot. Of course, admittance REQUIRES a RSVP (one entry per individual season ticket).

I'll surely be there (look for the white ALMEDA jersey), and it'd be nice to have a nice GSoM "council" meet-up during the event.

I know that a lot of the GSoM readership don't have Season Tickets, but we need to get our voice heard more often at these NBA games. Refs are just not cutting us any slack.We just be louder, so maybe we can get a group together and see just what happens these last few games.

Quite frankly, I don't mind yelling REF U SUCK till the end of the season, regardless of the ref, so the NBA takes some kind of notice. It's an important time of year too, as our players are NOW considering whether sticking with the Warriors is really the way to go. Since we're essentially the REASON these players love playing at Oracle, the type of energy we gave the Warriors during the Kings game gave them JUST enough push to win it. (sans Jackson, Biedrins, injured Maggette, Wright, etc.).

It's Fan Appreciation Month, but really it's Player Appreciation Month for our ol' boys being patient enough through a controversially difficult and emotionally taxing season.

LET'S GO DUBS. See everyone at the BBQ.

A Night to Remember As a Warrior Fan for me Tonight - UPDATED w/ HD Video Clips

RayAlmeda — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:09:37 -0000

I'm going to be the Season Ticket Holder of the Game tonight and never thought it would be so meaningful unless I look back at it all.

Baron Davis returns. St. Paddy's day. HOWEVER, Stephen Jackson out. Biedrins out. Maybe another starter out. Belinelli out.

Everything is AGAINST my favor of the Warriors winning tonight and me going home with a signed, autographed basketball from the player of the game.

STILL, I'm there tonight to represent GSoM and hope that I'll be able to give a shout-out to the site when I'm introduced by Franco Finn sometime in the 2nd quarter.

To me, this honor is something I never expected this early being a fan, but it's probably the best thing that can happen to a Warriors fan (from an official, recorded standpoint).I mean - I've only been a season ticket holder for 2 years. There's countless others out there who deserve it more than me; I'm talking about the 30 year-season-ticket-holder vets who pay money to numerous bad teams and NEVER give up. This is a salute to all of you.

Anyway, quite a few of you have definitely stopped by seats and said HI. I really appreciate those hello's - people who hear me from other sections (Since I consider myself the LOUDEST Warrior fan in the arena). Definitely stop by and say hi tonight. I might not be as loud as other games (My voice has been LOST for the last 5 days because of the recent Warrior games, etc.), but I'll still try my best to cheer as loudly as I can without passing out.

Maybe we could get a crowd standing behind me and repping GSoM during the segment. Either way, I'm proud to call myself a Warrior fan this day and couldn't thank the Golden State Warriors (Ticket Office NOT Front Office) more from this privilege.

- Ray Almeda

Section 208, Row DS, Seats 15-16

UPDATED: 2:30 AM - March 18th

Hey everybody. I got an update for ya. Everything went well. Franco was very nice and we even chatted how BAD the decision to make Little Caesar's the main pizza distributor for the Warriors from now on.

Anyway, he said that my STH of the Night presentation was probably "one of the best ones." Mostly due to the crazy dancing that went behind my area (front row - Sect. 208).

To see the HD videos of the entire evening, head to my YouTube page at:

http://www.youtube.com/user/almehdaaol

It includes footage of Baron's introduction, Baron during the game (I sit courtside), and the actual crazy Season Ticket Holder of the Game moment.

Now, what's in the prize pack I won besides the AUTOGRAPHED BALL I received from the player of the game?

- $50/100 Best Buy Gift Card (not sure the amount but it's at least $50)

- Custom Golden State Warriors Keychains/Pins (All the Warriors team logos are featured - pretty awesome)

- Official Warriors Practice Basketball Shorts

- Official Warriors Season Ticket Holder of the Game T-Shirt

- Geek Squad T-Shirt

- Official Golden State Warriors Picture Frame (medium size - not digital)

- Official 2008-2009 Golden State Warriors Yearbook

- Official Golden State Warriors 08-09 Keychain/Miltary Tag

all in a Best Buy - Tote Backpack

Not bad... especially if you include the autographed ball, PICTURE of you and the Player of the Game (sent to you PERSONALLY by your Ticket Executive Agent, for me it was the fabulous Jen Goldman) AND being featured on the Warriors.com website as Season Ticket Holder of the Game.

Any other questions guys?

Lamar Odom had NO class during last night's game

RayAlmeda — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:04:42 -0000

In what was a very disappointing game last night (don't get me wrong - we played well enough to win but fell short because of some lazy perimeter defense), one things marred my night more than anything else.

Lamar Odom.

It wasn't the technical foul from the bench but rather his attitude after Anthony Randolph went for a rebound in the 3rd quarter and Odom "deliberately" pushed Randolph off his back (possibly to get him off, but it looked like he really wanted him off HARD). In a sport full of no-class acts, Odom had NO intent to indicate he wanted to help Randolph up or even talk to him after the incident.

Randolph had to come out of the game during that time and changed our team's ferocity mid-quarter. To me, this small thing was enough to doom the Warriors from maximizing on a 12-point lead and take away a TON of defensive rebounds, ones that even Turiaf couldn't handle by himself. Are we getting too lazy? Where's J-Rich/B-Diddy's rebounding when you need it BADLY?

First thing's first: Odom's was a complete jerk last night and was an indication of how sports today have truly changed since the mid-80's.

Just a thought to end my birthday night, which ended with a Warriors loss yesterday.

Chad Ford - Interesting article: Bosh for Biedrins, Randolph, Belinelli and Future # 1 pick

RayAlmeda — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 08:30:20 -0000

Straight off the presses this late evening about Chad Ford's article on Five Deals that SHOULD happen at the NBA Trade Deadline.

I don't wanna be a buzz killer, but I heard Monta AND Randolph heading out for Chris Bosh from an insider that knows people within the Warriors.

Not to say it would happen, but rather could it happen?

Thoughts on the following article and more?

LINK: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=TradeOptions-090217

1. Raptors send Chris Bosh to the Warriors for Andris Biedrins, Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf, Marco Belinelli and a future No. 1 pick

Why should the Raptors do it?
Because the writing is on the wall in Toronto. I'm not sure how the Raptors are going to keep Bosh in 2010, and, no, I don't think adding Shawn Marion really helps in the long term. This deal would give them a ton of young talent to rebuild. And the fact that much of it has an international flavor only makes it sweeter for Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo.

Why should the Warriors do it?
You don't get the chance to add an All-Star big man every day. And with Monta Ellis and Corey Maggette, the Warriors would have the building blocks to be special again. Will it happen?
The biggest question is whether the Warriors, the most dysfunctional franchise in the NBA, could keep Bosh. They would have enough talent to convince Bosh to stay, but their situation is so messed up that it's a big risk.

The second biggest question is whether the Raptors would do it. Colangelo has been pretty adamant that they won't deal Bosh at the deadline. But if they were able to get this much talent in return, he'd have to take a long look.

Chris Sheridan of ESPN: Warriors/Clippers Trying to Land Marion?

RayAlmeda — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:15:41 -0000

Thanks to an earlier heads up from JimBarnett2KevinGarnett, the Warriors and Clippers are reported involved in "murmurs" to potentially land the Miami Heat's Shawn Marion.

Video interview from ESPN.com:

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3480888&categoryId=2459788&n8pe6c=1

Apparently the chances of the Warriors landing him would be based on what happens with the Ronny Turiaf signing sheet news.

What is everybody's thoughts on this? Is this a realistic possibility for the Dubs if Marion plays the 4 and sets the perfect example for lanky players Wright and Randolph?